CN1736116A - System and method for providing multimedia messaging service (MMS) ringing images on mobile calls - Google Patents

Abstract

System, apparatus and method for providing multimedia messaging service (MMS) ringing images on mobile calls. In one embodiment, a ringing image comprises a combination of sound and images/video with optional textual information and a presentation format. An exemplary method includes: receiving an incoming call from an originating mobile station; receiving a multimdia messaging service (MMS) message associated with the incoming call, wherein the MMS message contains ringing image data including image data and ring tone data; presenting the ringing image data to a user of the terminating mobile station; and in response to presentation of the ringing image data, receiving an indication from the user to answer the incoming call. The incoming call and the MMS message are preferably received substantially simultaneously.

Description

System and method for providing a multimedia messaging service (MMS) ringing image for a mobile call

technical field

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to a method and system for providing messaging services regarding mobile calls.

Background technique

The rapid growth of the cellular telephone industry in recent years has prompted cellular telephone manufacturers to continue to provide new and improved services with each new generation of cellular telephones. New services such as call waiting, caller ID, three-way calling, call forwarding, and voice paging have become standard for newer generations of cellular phones. Furthermore, the ubiquity of the Internet and the ease with which users can obtain and share information via the Internet has created new areas of growth. With the Internet now permeating everyday life, it is understandable that there is an urgent need to access the Internet via wireless devices such as cellular telephones. Many existing cell phones and other wireless devices are equipped with browser software (commonly referred to as "microbrowsers") that enables the wireless devices to access hypermedia content on the Internet. However, many older wireless devices were not equipped with microbrowsers. The lack of a microbrowser limits the device's ability to access hypermedia content on the Internet.

Limited Internet access has been provided to wireless devices using a service known as Short Message Service ("SMS"), which is available on many devices. SMS allows users of certain wireless devices to send and receive alphanumeric messages of limited length (eg, up to 160 characters). SMS is similar to paging, however SMS does not require the wireless device to be active and in range when sending the message. If the wireless device is inactive or out of range, the SMS message is typically held for a period of time until the wireless device returns active or is in range.

SMS-based Internet access is primarily performed by submitting one or more "keyword" messages from the wireless device to a predetermined address or telephone number served by a server. The server prepares an SMS message including information based on the "keyword" and delivers the SMS message back to the requesting wireless device. An example of this type of access might be a request for a stock quote. The wireless user may enter "QUOTE" after the stock symbol. The SMS message is received by the server, which must decode the keyword and try to get the appropriate information requested by the wireless device. Once the offer value is determined, the server can generate an SMS message including the corresponding offer information and forward it to the requesting wireless device.

Wireless devices operate according to several different standards common throughout the world. For example, the United States uses a digital cellular system based on the IS-95 and CDMA 2000 standards. Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA") allows many users to share a common frequency/time channel for transmission by spreading individual call signals with different codes. Likewise, the European Community uses a system known as the Global System for Mobile Communications ("GSM"). GSM is based on Time Division Multiple Access ("TDMA") and Frequency Division Multiple Access ("FDMA") standards. Unlike CDMA, each user is given a time or frequency slot to transmit its data. CDMA 2000 and GSM systems use separate channels for transmitting data. The channels can be mixed if desired to bring about higher capacity. Furthermore, the channel may be a traffic channel or a control channel.

Typically within a GSM operating environment, SMS messaging traffic is typically carried on a separate dedicated control channel ("SDCCH"). The SDCCH channel operates independently of the traffic channel ("TCH"). Thus, it is possible for a user of the cell phone to receive SMS messages while conducting a conversation with another user, or to transmit data via the TCH.

The SMS text messaging service handles almost 15 billion character-based messages per month worldwide. In this way, a new revolutionary way of enhancing existing mass SMS messaging is developed. The Multimedia Messaging Service ("MMS") enables the transfer of text, pictures, photographic images, audio and even video clips between mobile devices using the Wireless Application Protocol ("WAP") and powered by new high-speed transmission technologies, Such new high-speed transmission technologies are, for example, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution ("EDGE") and General Packet Radio Service ("GPRS"). MMS offers other possibilities within the state of the art invention. However, there is a need for a way to integrate MMS into the areas of mobile communications with which wireless device users are currently most familiar, such as traditional mobile voice calls.

Contents of the invention

The above-mentioned problems are solved and technical advancements are achieved by means of a system and method for providing a multimedia messaging service (MMS) ringing image on a mobile call. In one embodiment, the ringing image includes sound and a combination of image/video and text information.

An exemplary method for providing an MMS ring image on a mobile call includes: receiving a ring image request message including an address of a terminating mobile station and a URL address; retrieving a ring image located at the URL address; ring image data, including image data and ring tone data; generating a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message including said ring image data; and transmitting said MMS message to said terminating mobile station. In one embodiment, said MMS message is preferably sent substantially simultaneously with the call setup information.

In an alternative embodiment directed to a method of causing a mobile terminal to provide a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) ringing image for a mobile call, the exemplary method comprises: receiving an incoming call from an originating mobile station; an incoming call-related MMS message, wherein the MMS message includes ringing image data, the ringing image data including image data and ring tone data; displaying the ringing image data to a user of the terminating mobile station; And, in response to displaying the ringing image data, an indication is received from the user to answer the incoming call.

In an alternative embodiment, the exemplary method comprises: generating a call setup message, the call setup message including an address of a terminating mobile station, and an identifier of the ringing image data; sending the call setup message to a mobile switching center, to initiate a call to said terminating mobile station, and transmit a ringing image message comprising said ringing image data to said terminating mobile station; a user at said terminating mobile station responds to displaying said ringing image A call is performed with a user of the terminating mobile station when the call is answered by receiving data.

In the following description, other aspects of the invention will become apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network environment in which a mobile station may be used to perform a ringing image call according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary ringing image call setup message according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary ring picture request message according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2C is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary ringing image message according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile station for use in the exemplary network environment shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an MMS message server for the exemplary network environment shown in FIG. 1 .

5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for an originating mobile station to generate a Ring Picture Request message, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

6A is a block diagram illustrating various screenshots of exemplary options available to a user of an originating mobile station that initiates an MMS Ring Image Request message, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a block diagram illustrating recording of an MMS ringing image for the exemplary mobile station shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for an MMS message server to generate an MMS ringing image message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for a terminating mobile station to receive an MMS ringing image message, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

In the following description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form embodiments of the invention, and in which the invention is shown by means of various embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network environment in which a mobile station may be used to perform a ringing image call according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an originating mobile station 100 and a terminating mobile station 130 are shown in communication with a mobile communications network such as GSM, EDGE, or Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service ("UMTS"). Mobile stations 100/130 may be mobile handsets, such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), etc., or portable computers, such as laptop computers, with wireless voice and data capabilities. According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the user of the originating mobile station 100 needs to call the user of the terminating mobile station 130, he or she instructs the mobile station 100 to send the ringing image call setup message 102 via the base station system (BBS) 104 to The mobile switching center (MSC) 106 transmits a request ring image message 122 to the terminating mobile station 130 in connection with call setup. As described below, the ring image message 122 includes multimedia content or ring image data (such as sound and image/video combined with text and an optional display format) that is displayed from the originating mobile station 100 to the caller. The user of the associated terminating mobile station 130 . The user of the terminating mobile station 130 may answer the call (eg, by pressing a predetermined key on the terminating mobile station 130), thereby terminating display of the ringing image data.

FIG. 2A shows an exemplary ringing image call setup message 102 generated by an originating mobile station 100 to initiate call setup. As shown, the message 102 includes a header 201a including a field 202 for the address of the terminating mobile station 103 and a body 201b including a field 202 for the ringer picture identifier and the originating mobile station 103, respectively. Fields for the mobile station 100 address (204, 206). The terminating and originating mobile station addresses in fields 202 and 206 may be, but are not limited to, MSISDNs. In addition, the ringing image identifier in the field 204 may be URL or URI, which are equivalent to each other in the present invention, collectively referred to as URL.

In one embodiment, the ringing pattern identifier may be specified by the originating mobile station 100 . For example, a ring pattern identifier may be selected by the user of the originating mobile station 100 from a plurality of ring patterns stored within the station 100 and transmitted as part of the ring pattern call setup message 102 . As described in detail below, each ring pattern identifier stored in the mobile station 100 corresponds to a ring pattern in a set of ring patterns stored in the multimedia messaging service center (MMSC) 110 . Each originating mobile station 100 (or each user thereof) preferably has a set of ringing images stored in the MMSC 110. The group may be stored and linked to the mobile station (or its user) when the user purchases the mobile station 100 or subscribes to the ring image service. Preferably, said user may also modify, add or delete ringing images from the initially provided set.

Rather than the user selecting a ringing image identifier, in one embodiment, the mobile station 100 or an entity within the network such as the MMSC 110 may select an identifier based on predetermined criteria that have been met. For example, user selection of a frequently called number may result in automatic selection of a ring image identifier that corresponds to an informal ring image, such as a photo of the user with a personal audio message. Conversely, selection of a less frequently called number may result in selection of an official ring image corresponding to, for example, a company logo and its ring tone. In alternative embodiments, the selection of the ring pattern identifier may be based on the number of the originating mobile station 100, and be company-specific (such as a Nokia ring pattern on all calls performed by Nokia employees), or specific to the operation. (especially in markets where operators subsidize mobile stations), it should be understood that if the network chooses a ringing image identifier other than the mobile station 100, the identifier cannot be included in the ringing image call setup message 102 .

In one embodiment, upon receipt of the ringing image call setup message 102, the MSC 106 uses the originating mobile station address included therein to retrieve the subscriber data record corresponding to that address from the subscription record node (144, 154 ), the node may be a Home Location Register (HLR) 142 or a Visitor Location Register (VLR) 152 shown in FIG. 1 . As is well known in the art, the HLR is the main database of permanent subscriber information for the mobile network, maintaining permanent subscriber information including addresses, account status, preferences, subscriptions, etc. Similarly, the VLR maintains temporary subscriber information to manage call requests from subscribers located outside the coverage area covered by the subscriber's home system. If the originating mobile station 100 subscribes to the ring image feature, the subscriber record (144, 154) preferably includes a flag (146, 156) indicating the subscription. Upon receipt of the subscriber record from the database, the MSC 106 will set up a call to the terminating mobile station 130 and also generate a Ring Image Request message 107 for transmission to the Multimedia Messaging Service Center (MMSC) 110.

FIG. 2B shows an exemplary ringing image request message 107 . As shown, the message 107 includes a header 208a including a field 210 for the address of the Multimedia Messaging Service Center (MMSC) 110 and a body 208b including the terminating mobile station number, ring picture identifier and fields for the originating mobile station number (220, 222, 224). The request message 107 may also include a ringing image request flag used by the MMSC 110 to distinguish the ringing image request message from other MMS-related messages it receives.

Once the MSC 106 has generated the Ring Image Request message 107, it is transmitted to the MMSC 110 via a Multimedia Messaging Service Center Gateway ("G-MMSC") 108 of the mobile communication network. MMSC 110 relays the Ring Image Request message 107 to Message Server 112 for processing the request. In this regard, message server 112 is preferably coupled to terminal database 114 and multimedia ring image library 116 as shown in FIG. 1 . The terminal database 114 stores a list of mobile stations that have subscribed to the ring picture service, and for each mobile station, the database includes an identifier of one or more ring picture groups corresponding to that mobile station. The multimedia ring image library 116 in turn stores each mobile station group of ring images.

In one embodiment, upon receiving the ringer image request message 107 from the MMSC 110, the message server 112 extracts the ringer image identifier and the number of the originating mobile station 100 from the fields 222 and 224, respectively, to select from the multimedia ringer image library 116 Retrieve the ringer image. In particular, the message server 112 uses the number of the originating mobile station 100 to determine from the terminal database 114 the ring picture group identifier for that mobile station. The server 112 then uses the group identifier to access the group of ringer images for the originating mobile station 100 from the multimedia ringer image library 116 . Finally, the server 112 uses the ringer image identifier extracted from the request message 102 to retrieve a particular ringer image from the set to be sent to the terminating mobile station 130 . As mentioned above, each ringing image may include data including a combination of sound and image/video coupled with text and a format for displaying the multimedia to the user. In an alternative embodiment, the group identifier of the originating mobile station 100 may point to a location within a data network, such as the Internet 118 shown in FIG. The set of images is maintained by a third party, from which location the messaging server 112 may retrieve the ringing image.

Once the ring image has been retrieved from the appropriate repository ( 116 , 120 ), message server 112 generates an MMS ring image message 122 including ring image data for delivery to terminating mobile station 130 . As shown in FIG. 2C, the exemplary ring picture message 122 includes a header 252a that includes fields (260, 262, 264) for the address of the terminating mobile station, a ring picture designation, and an address of the originating mobile station. The ring image message 122 also includes a body 252b including fields (270, 272, 276, 278) for ring image data such as display format, image/video, audio, and text.

Once the message server 112 has generated the ringing image data 122, it is sent via the mobile communication network's Multimedia Messaging Service Center Gateway ("G-MMSC") 124, Mobile Switching Center ("MSC") 126 and base station system ( "BSS") 128 is transmitted to the terminating mobile station 130 . In one embodiment, call setup information is sent over the mobile communication network substantially simultaneously with said ringing image message 122, and thus received substantially simultaneously by the terminating mobile station 13. The terminating mobile station 130 recognizes call setup information (such as a paging message corresponding to a call to the originating mobile station 100) and ring picture messages as being related to the ring picture message, possibly by means of a ring picture mark included in the message. The ring images are call related and are each linked to each other by means of the MSISDN of the originating mobile station 100 . In one embodiment, upon receipt of the ring image message 122, the terminating mobile station 130 displays the ring image data to the user. After receiving an indication from the user to answer the incoming call linked to the ring image message 122, the terminating mobile station 130 switches from displaying the ring image data to executing the call substantially simultaneously.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile station for use in the exemplary network environment shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. The mobile stations shown in FIG. 3 may be an originating mobile station 100 and a terminating mobile station 130 . The mobile station 100 / 130 preferably includes a display 300 , a plurality of buttons 310 , a speaker 350 , a microphone 355 , a camera 360 and an antenna 375 . The mobile station 100/130 is preferably also equipped with a web browser 370 for downloading and browsing hypertext media content, and an MMS editor 380 for generating, displaying and editing MMS business messages.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the mobile station 100 / 130 also includes a central processing unit (“CPU”) 320 , as well as a memory 330 and a Subscriber Identity Module (“SIM”) 240 . Memory 230 and SIM 240 may provide memory for programs and/or data, including MMS ringing image application 390, for performing a number of functions in accordance with the present invention, including generating transmissions to the MSC The ring image call setup message 102 of 106 and processes the ring image message 122 received from the message server 112 together with the linked incoming call. In one embodiment, the ring image application 390 also enables the user to generate a ring image to add to the set of ring images stored within the MMSC 110. The ringing image may be generated from a data file downloaded from a data network such as the Internet 118 using the web browser 130, and/or using one of the input keys 310, microphone 355 and camera 360 or more, downloaded from a data file locally generated by the mobile station 100/130.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the MMS message server 112 for the exemplary network environment shown in FIG. 1 . As shown in FIG. 4 , message server 112 includes processor 400 and memory 410 interconnected to various system components by way of system bus 415 . The system components include an MMSC interface 420 for receiving a ringing image request message 107 from the MMSC 110 via an MMSC link 425 and transmitting a ringing image message 122 to the MMSC 110. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the message server also includes a terminal database 114 and a ring image storehouse 116 for retrieving ring image data to generate a ring image message 122 transmitted to the terminating mobile station 130, as shown in conjunction with the following figures 7 described in detail. The message server 112 also includes an Internet interface 430 connected to the Internet 118 via a high-speed backbone to retrieve ringing image data from third parties.

5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary process for an originating mobile station to generate a ringing image call setup message 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step 504 a ringing image call setup message 102 is generated. In steps 506-510, the header 201a of the message 102 has the URL/URI of the desired ring image and the MSISDN of the originating mobile station. In one embodiment, in addition to the ringing call setup message 102, the user of the originating mobile station 100 is prompted for the MSISDN of the terminating mobile station 130 and the URL/URI of the ringing image in steps 506 and 508, respectively. In step 512, the MMS ring image application 390 determines whether the MSISDN and URL/URI entered by the user are in an acceptable format. If neither is in an acceptable format, additional information is required to correct the MSISDN and/or request the URL/URI from the user in step 514 . If the MSISDN and URL/URI are in an acceptable format, then in step 516, the ringing image call setup message 102 is sent to the MSC 106. If in response to receiving the call setup information (such as a paging message) and the ringing image message 122 transmitted by the MMSC 110, the user of the terminating mobile station 130 answers the call corresponding to the call setup message 102, then in step At 518 , the user of the originating mobile station 100 may communicate with the user of the terminating mobile station 130 .

6A is a block diagram of various user interfaces for a thumbnail view of exemplary options available to a user of an originating mobile station 100 that initiates transmission of a ringing image call setup message 102 in accordance with the present invention. As shown on screen 610 of FIG. 6A , the user's electronic phonebook located on originating mobile station 100 includes one or more entries, each entry being associated with terminating mobile station 130 . If the MMS ring image has been activated for the entry, the ring image call setup message 102 is initiated, possibly by scrolling to thus highlighting the entry, and pressing the "Call" button. If a ring image has not been activated for the entry, pressing the call button will result in the transmission of a regular call setup message without any ring image identifier.

Pressing the "Options" button on screen 610 results in screen 620 listing the options available to the user in relation to the highlighted phonebook entry. Scrolling to "Details" and pressing the "Select" button results in a screen showing the details associated with the highlighted phonebook entry. The details include, among other information related to the phonebook entry, an indication of whether the MMS ring image is activated. As mentioned above, scrolling to a phonebook entry within screen 610 and pressing the "Call" button will cause transmission of a ringing image call setup message 102 to the MSC 106, if activated.

Returning to screen 620, scrolling to "MMS Ring Image" and pressing the "Select" button results in a screen 640 displaying the ring image currently available for highlighting a phonebook entry. In screen 640, the user may scroll to one of the ring images and activate or deactivate or delete the ring image from the list. In one embodiment, multiple ring images are selected for activation.

Pressing the "Add" button on screen 640 results in screen 650 which displays the originating mobile station's 100 MMS ring image library and lists all ring images currently available for phonebook entries. Scrolling to one of the ring images in the library and pressing the "Select" button on screen 650 causes the selected ring image to be added to the list of ring images displayed on screen 640 for the particular phonebook entry . Additionally, if desired, the user can delete one or more ring images from the library to make room for other ring images by scrolling to the ring image and pressing the "Delete" button.

In one embodiment, pressing the "Generate" button of screen 650 results in screen 660 that displays some of the options available to the user during the process of generating a ring image. The options may include browsing and generating one or more files such as audio, image/video, text, etc., adding text using the enter key 310 of the originating mobile station 100, and assigning a name to the ringing image. When a ring image is generated, the originating mobile station 100 transmits it to the MMSC 110 to add to the set of ring images of the station 100, and receives from the MMSC 110 a URL/URI indicating the location of the ring image. The mobile station 100 then generates a record 670 of the ringing image as shown in FIG. 6B , including the user-assigned name 672 and the URL/URI 674 received from the MMSC 110. Then, the name of the newly added ringing image is displayed in the ringing image library as long as the screen 650 is displayed. The originating mobile station 100 having stored said ringing image data in the MMSC 110 may then delete this data from the memory 330 to preserve its own resources.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process by which the MMS message server 112 generates the MMS ringing image message 122, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step 702, message server 112 receives ringing image request message 107 from MSC 106 via MMSC 110. In step 704, the server 112 extracts the MSISIDNs (220, 224) of the terminating and originating mobile stations, as well as the ringer picture identifier 222. In step 706 the server 112 generates a ringing image message 122 addressed to the MSISDN of said terminating mobile station 103 . In step 708 , server 112 retrieves the ringer image data included in message 122 . In particular, in one embodiment, the message server 112 uses the MSISDN of the originating mobile station 100 to retrieve the station's ring picture group identifier from the terminal database 114 . The server 112 then uses the group identifier retrieved from the database 114 to access the corresponding group of ring images from the multimedia ring image library 116 and select from this group the corresponding ring image identification extracted from the request message 107. character's ringing image data.

In step 710 , the message server 112 adds the ringer image data to the ringer image message 122 . A ring image flag is also included in field 262 of the message 122 to assist the terminating mobile station 130 in identifying the message as one requiring ring image processing in accordance with the present invention. In step 712, the message server 112 also adds the MSISDN of the originating mobile station 100 to the MSISDN of the terminating mobile station 130 when linking the message 122 with the incoming mobile call from the originating mobile station 100. Ring image message 122 used. In step 714, the message server 112 sends the ringing image message 122 to the terminating mobile station 130 via the G-MMSC 124, MSC 126 and BSS 128 of the mobile communication network.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for receiving an MMS ringing image message 122 by a terminating mobile station in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In step 802, terminating mobile station 130 receives call setup information (e.g., a paging message including caller information such as originating mobile station address or MSISDN), and ringing image message 122 from BSS 128. The ring image message 122 can be distinguished from other MMS message types by a ring image tag within field 262 of the message. The call setup information may also include a similar flag, which is used together with the originating mobile station address within the paging message and ring image message 122 to link the incoming call with the ring image message 122 .

In step 804, the MMS editor 380 is opened, and in step 806, ringing image data including ringing tone data and image data are extracted from the ringing image message 122 to be displayed to the user. In step 808 , it is determined whether the user accepts the ring tone data extracted from the ring image message 122 for display on the mobile station 130 . Acceptance may be determined by prompting and receiving a response from the user, or by a user profile stored within terminal 130 from which user acceptance is available. For example, the profile may suggest the use of a ring tone pre-stored in the mobile station 130 instead of the ring tone included in the ring image message 122 . Alternatively, if the profile is "silent", then the ringing image data cannot be displayed to the user of station 130.

If the ringtone is not accepted, then in step 810, a pre-stored ringtone of the mobile station 130 may be used. In step 812, the ringing image is displayed to the user of the mobile station 130 substantially simultaneously with the appropriate ringing tone (ie, the ringing tone extracted from the ringing image message 122 or a pre-stored ringing tone).

In step 814 , it is determined whether the user has answered the incoming call associated with the ringing image message 122 . If the user does not answer the call, then in step 816 the ringing image message 122 is stored in the memory 330 of the terminating mobile station 130 for subsequent display to the user. If the profile of the mobile station 130 is such that the data cannot be displayed to the user upon receipt, the ringing image 122 may be stored for subsequent display. However, if the user answers the call, then in step 818, the MMS media editor 380 is closed substantially at the same time as the call is answered.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description, and thus, it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Furthermore, since many modifications and variations are apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation shown and described herein, and all suitable modifications and equivalents to which one may resort are intended to fall within the scope of the claims . For example, references herein to Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) are intended to be exemplary and not limiting, and the invention is applicable to other similar messaging services.

Claims (49)

1. A method for providing a mobile terminal with a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) ringing image about a mobile call, comprising: receiving a ringing image request message including an address and a URL address of a terminating mobile station; Retrieving the ringing image data at the URL address, including image data and ringing tone data; generating a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message including said ringing image data; and The MMS message is sent to the terminating mobile station. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said MMS message is sent substantially simultaneously with call setup information. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the address of said terminating mobile station and said URL address are specified by a user of the originating mobile station. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said image data comprises video data. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said ringtone data comprises recorded messages. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said ringer image request message is received from an originating mobile station, and the recorded message is recorded by a user of said originating mobile station. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said ringing image data further includes text and display data. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a plurality of URL addresses, each of which is associated with different ringing image data; retrieving said different ringing image data from each of said URL addresses; A multimedia messaging service (MMS) message including the distinct ring image data is generated. 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said ringing image data is retrieved from a location in a data network such as the Internet, 10. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the MMS message to the terminating mobile station comprises: The MMS message is forwarded to an MMS gateway via a cellular network for delivery to the terminating mobile station. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said ringing image message is sent to said terminating mobile station as a push message. 12. A method for providing a mobile terminal with a multimedia messaging service (MMS) ringing image for a mobile call, comprising: receiving a ringing image request message, the ringing image request message including the address of the mobile station; If the address is the address of the first type, then retrieving the first ringing image data, including the first image data and the first ringing tone data; If the address is an address of the second type, then retrieving second ringing image data, including second image data and second ringing tone data; generating a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message that includes the retrieved ringer image data; and The MMS message is sent to a terminating mobile station. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein a ringer image request message is received from an originating mobile station, and the address of the first type is an address to which said originating mobile station frequently initiates communications. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said first ring image data corresponds to an informal ring image and said second ring image data corresponds to an official ring image. 15. A method for a mobile terminal to provide a multimedia messaging service (MMS) ringing image for a mobile call, comprising: receiving an incoming call from an originating mobile station; receiving a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message associated with the incoming call, wherein the MMS message includes ringer image data, the ringer image data includes image data and ring tone data; displaying the ringing image data to a user of the terminating mobile station; and In response to displaying the ringing image data, an indication is received from the user to answer the incoming call. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said incoming call and said MMS message are received substantially simultaneously. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: Terminating display of the ringing image substantially simultaneously with answering the incoming call. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: using an MMS editor to display said ringing image data to a user of said terminating mobile station, and Terminating the display of the ringing image data includes closing the MMS editor. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein said image data comprises video data. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein displaying the ring image data includes displaying the ring tone data and the image data. 21. The method of claim 15, further comprising: Pre-store ring tone data; determining whether to display ringtone data included in the MMS message and pre-stored ringtone data; and Wherein displaying the ringing image data includes displaying the pre-stored ringing tone data instead of the ringing tone data included in the MMS message. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said pre-stored ring tone data is displayed substantially simultaneously with image data included in said MMS message. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein determining whether to display ring tone data included in the MMS message or pre-stored ring tone data is based on user input. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein determining whether to display ring tone data included in the MMS message or pre-stored ring tone data is based on information in a user profile. 25. The method of claim 23, further comprising: Prompting the user for an indication of the ring tone data included in the MMS message. 26. The method of claim 15, further comprising: If the indication is not received from the user, the MMS message is stored for subsequent display. 27. The method of claim 15, wherein said ringing image data is displayed to said user of said terminating mobile station based on a profile of said terminating mobile station. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: If the profile does not permit display of the ring image data to the user of the terminating mobile station, storing the ring image data in the terminating mobile station until display is permitted. 29. A method for a mobile terminal to provide a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) ringing image for a mobile call, comprising: generating a call setup message including the address of the terminating mobile station, and an identifier for the ringing image data; sending said call setup message to a mobile switching center to initiate a call to said terminating mobile station, and transmitting a ring picture message including said ring picture data to said terminating mobile station; A call is performed with a user of the terminating mobile station when the user of the terminating mobile station answers the call in response to displaying the ringer image data. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein call initiation and transmission of the ringing image message occur substantially simultaneously. 31. The method of claim 29, further comprising: The switch from MMS communication to voice communication occurs substantially simultaneously when the user of the terminating mobile station answers the call. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein generating the ring image request message further comprises: One of a plurality of ring picture identifiers is selected for inclusion in the ring picture request message. 33. The method of claim 29, further comprising: Generate a ringing image; The ringing image is transmitted to a remote location for storage. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein said remote location is a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) center. 35. The method of claim 33, wherein generating the ringing image comprises: Add image and audio files. 36. The method of claim 33, wherein generating the ringing image further comprises: Add text information. 37. The method of claim 33, wherein generating the ringing image further comprises: Add display format. 38. The method of claim 33, further comprising: receiving an identifier of the ringing image; The identifier is stored in the originating mobile station. 39. A system for providing a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) ringing image for a mobile call, comprising: a multimedia message service (MMS) center for receiving a ringing image request message, the ringing image request message including the address and URL address of the terminating mobile station; A message server for retrieving the ringing image data at the URL address, including image data and ringing tone data, and generating a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message including the ringing image data; and a gateway for forwarding the MMS message to the terminating mobile station. 40. The system of claim 39, wherein said ringing image data further includes textual information. 41. The system of claim 39, further comprising: a mobile switching center (MSC) for receiving a ringing image call setup message and, in response thereto, setting up a call to said terminating mobile station; Wherein said call is established over a mobile communication network substantially simultaneously with said MMS message being forwarded to said mobile station. 42. A mobile station for providing a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) ringing image for a mobile call, comprising: storage device for storing programs; and a processor in communication with the storage device, the processor operable by means of the program to: receiving an incoming call from an originating mobile station; receiving a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message associated with the incoming call, wherein the MMS message includes ringer image data, the ringer image data includes image data and ringtone data; displaying the ringing image data to a user of the terminating mobile station; and In response to displaying the ringing image data, an indication is received from the user to answer the incoming call. 43. The mobile station of claim 42, wherein said incoming call and said MMS message are received substantially simultaneously. 44. The mobile station of claim 42, wherein said mobile station is a mobile telephone. 45. The mobile station of claim 42, wherein said processor is further operable by said program to: The display of the ringer image data is terminated substantially simultaneously with the answering of the incoming call. 46. The mobile station of claim 42, wherein said ringing image data further includes text information. 47. A mobile station for providing a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) ringing image for a mobile call, comprising: storage device for storing programs; and a processor in communication with the storage device, the processor operable by means of the program to: generating a call setup message including the address of the terminating mobile station, and an identifier for the ringing image data; sending said call setup message to a mobile switching center to initiate a call to said terminating mobile station, and transmitting a ring picture message including said ring picture data to said terminating mobile station; A call is performed with a user of the terminating mobile station when the user of the terminating mobile station answers the call in response to displaying the ringer image data. 48. The method of claim 47, wherein initiating a call includes transmitting call setup information over a mobile communications network to setup a call to said terminating mobile station. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein call initiation and transmission of the ringing image message occur substantially simultaneously.

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